NIGHT AND DAY HUNTERS 191 



poultry, but every song bird they can catch; the law of the 

 survival of the fittest might well be enforced with lead in 

 their case. But do let us protect our friends, the more 

 heavily bmlt and slow-flyiag hawks with the red tails and 

 red shoulders, among other allies in our ceaseless war 

 against farm vermin ! 



In the court of last appeal to which aU our hawks are 

 brought — those scientific men in the Department of 

 Agriculture, who examine the contents of birds' stomachs 

 to learn just what food is taken in different parts of the 

 country and at different seasons of the year — the two so- 

 called "hen hawks" were proved to be rare offenders, and 

 great helpers. Two hundred and twenty stomachs of 

 red-shouldered hawks were examined, and only three con- 

 tained remains of poultry, while one hundred and two con- 

 tained mice; ninety-two, insects; forty, moles and other 

 smaJl mammals; fifty-nine, frogs and snakes, and so on. 

 The percentage of poultry eaten is so small that it might be 

 reduced to nothing if tlie farmers would keep their chickens 

 in yards instead of letting them roam to pick up a hving in 

 the fields, where the temptation to snatch up one must be 

 overwhelming to a hungry hawk. Fortunately these two 

 beneficent "hen hawks" are stiU common, in spite of our 

 ignorant persecution of them for two hundred years or 

 more. 



Toward the end of summer, especially in September, 

 when nursery duties have ended for the year and the 

 hawks are carefree, you may see them sailing in wide 

 spirals, delighting in the cooler stratum of air high over- 

 head. Balancing on wide, outstretched wings, floating 

 serenely with no apparent effort, they enjoy aeroplaning 

 for the sport's sake. 



